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This series of articles was started to keep the community updated on the Board’s activities.
Some of the Board’s accomplishments include:
• Appointment of fifth member of the Board.
• Hired a new Executive Director.
• Passed an Ethics Policy for the Board members, committee members, and team members.
• Conducted a town-hall meeting to explain the Repair and Replacement (R&R) Fund.
• Instituted a new process for changes to governing documents to be posted on mytpr.com for resident comments before Board approval.
As we go forward, there are still things that can be done to keep Trilogy the inviting place to live. To do that this Board and all future boards need your ideas, expertise, experience.
We are in the middle of our election process. This is your opportunity to influence the future of Trilogy by voting for the candidate of your choice. The Board encourages everyone to vote (one vote per lot).
We also would like to know if you want this article to continue. If you find this helpful each month, please let our Executive Director Michele know. If this isn’t useful, we will discontinue it.
Strategic planning helps HOAs set a clear direction for the next three to five years, align budgets and reserves with priorities, and shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive community leadership. It produces a written plan that guides projects, spending, and communication while building shared understanding among the board, management, and residents. When done well, the strategic plan becomes a high level roadmap that connects the association’s mission, values, capital needs, amenities, lifestyle goals, and member services.
In fall 2023, the Trilogy Board of Directors asked the Planning Committee to design and conduct a community wide satisfaction survey of all residents—owners and renters—to assess current conditions and collect ideas for improving the living experience. The survey results were used to update and refine the Five Year Strategic Plan originally developed with significant input from the Planning Committee. Overall, 70% of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with Trilogy’s leadership and operations, while also expressing a strong interest in continued improvement to keep Trilogy a high value, well maintained, enjoyable active adult community.
Through the strategic planning process, five primary objectives emerged: 1) maintain and enhance residents’ quality of life and sense of community; 2) enforce rule compliance and promote fiscal responsibility; 3) protect and increase property values through stewardship of the environment and common property; 4) ensure responsible governance and management excellence; and 5) strengthen communication. The most important improvements identified span financial oversight, communication practices, amenities, community involvement, social engagement, and serving a diverse population with roughly a twenty year age range.
Residents voiced a strong expectation for responsible management and fiscal oversight, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to community needs. They highlighted the importance of meaningful community input in decision making, prudent use of funds, and a proactive approach to maintenance and capital improvements. Many also called for clearer, more timely communication from the board and management, including detailed project updates, open board meetings, and more frequent opportunities for resident feedback.
Communication itself emerged as a key theme, with residents asking for more effective methods, reduced repetition, and assurance that all residents receive important information. In
terms of amenities, residents expressed interest in reopening the café and making better use of existing spaces to create additional social gathering and dining areas, noting that overall satisfaction with amenities remains high. They also want increased involvement in decisions through town halls, surveys, and ongoing feedback channels.
Social life and programming were another major focus, with requests for more diverse and affordable social activities, lower event prices, better entertainment options, clearer communication about events, and easier access to events that require advance ticketing. Recognizing the community’s approximate twenty year age spread, residents indicated a desire for inclusive offerings for married couples, singles, and events that can involve grandchildren and pets. This feedback points to the need for activities and amenities that serve a broad range of ages and lifestyles.
The full survey results are available on MyTPR for residents who wish to review them in detail. The current Board of Directors has met with the Planning Committee to review the updated strategic plan and discuss next steps. A new survey is being recommended this year to confirm that resident priorities remain consistent with previous findings and to help set clear priorities for the next five years. Resident feedback continues to provide essential guidance for decisions about amenities, services, governance, and future development.
Historically, previous boards limited their involvement to directing the Planning Committee to design and administer the survey, leaving survey construction, implementation, and analysis entirely in the committee’s hands. Going forward, next steps include the board identifying specific priorities and assigning the Planning Committee concrete tasks to advance the plan. Current priority topics include conducting a new survey, evaluating the feasibility and affordability of café options, exploring opportunities to use artificial intelligence tools, reviewing access control measures, and developing or updating an emergency and disaster preparedness plan.
Elizabeth Ridge President elizabethr@mytpr.com
Lisa Gurtler Secretary lisag@mytpr.com
Steve Loney Vice President stevel@mytpr.com
Adrian Gordon Board Member adriang@mytpr.com
Lori Larson Treasurer loril@mytpr.com
Main Office Phone: 480-279-2053
Main Office Fax: 480-279-2099
Main Office Email: memberservices@tprcoa.com
Front Desk Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8am to 4pm Saturdays 8am to noon
Gate and After Hours: 6am – 10pm
Gate Phone Number: 480-797-1662
Michele Ray-Brethower Executive Director michele@tprcoa.com 480-279-2058
Caryn Lansford Accounting 480-279-2086 Caryn@tprcoa.com
Ryan Knobloch Technology Manager 480-279-2057 Ryan@tprcoa.com
Terri Hagan Member Services/Event Services Manager 480-279-2069 Terri@tprcoa.com
Robin Dastrup Community Manager 480-279-2052 Robin@tprcoa.com
Tammy Rowles Activities Manager 480-279-2054 tammy@tprcoa.com
Jennifer Taylor Fitness Manager 480-279-2052 Robin@tprcoa.com
Joel Schopp ACC 480-279-2064 Joel@tprcoa.com
Chris Clinton Facilities Director 480-279-2059 Chris@tprcoa.com
Dave Brown Special Projects Manager AVL Team Lead 480-279-2070
Michele Ray-Brethower
It’s election time. There are three vacancies for the Board of Director positions. We have received three candidate applications, Chuck Newcomb, Adrian Gordon and Gary Shaunnessy. You might think it’s a slam dunk election, there are three vacancies and three candidates, and you do not need to worry about voting. I would like to encourage all of you to vote as soon as you get the ballot on the week of February 16. The requirement for quorum of the election is what is important. If we do not meet quorum, the election is deemed invalid and we must conduct yet another election, which costs the Association more money. I prefer one election, meet quorum, conduct the business, elect the board members, and go about regular business. Two elections cost double the money, which in turn will cost each of you more money. Please cast your vote so that we meet quorum.
Speaking of money, also on the ballot will be the Revenue Ruling 70-604. The Revenue Ruling 70-604 is basically a “safety valve” that can let Associations avoid paying federal income tax on leftover regular assessments, as long as the members vote annually on what to do with the surplus. When management estimates what it will need for the budget, sometimes our expenses come in lower than expected, or the revenue is higher than expected, leaving excess member income at year-end. If the CA makes a proper annual election, excess member income can either be refunded to the members or applied to the next year’s assessments, so the CA is not taxed on the surplus for the current year. Otherwise, the excess member income is treated as taxable income.
Each year, the membership must vote on what to do with any excess assessments. The best practice in the industry is that most large-scale associations use 70-604 and have a standard annual resolution where the members authorize applying any surplus to future operating expenses rather than issuing a refund
and then turning around and recollecting it again through annual assessments. The ruling only helps with excess member income from regular assessments, it does not shelter nonmember income like interest, or rental and advertising income.
There has been some confusion about this ballot item in the past, and if you vote no, it just costs the Association more money. As the Executive Director, I work diligently to be a good fiduciary and steward with your Association dollars, and I want to make sure you all are aware in areas that you can make a difference. If you have any questions on this, please reach out to me so I can explain further.
The ballots are electronic and will come to you through your email we have on file. The first email in the database is the email that will receive the ballot and there is one ballot per lot. Please make sure your email address is current and updated so that you receive the ballot in a timely manner. If your spouse is the one that should be getting the ballot because he/she will do the voting, make sure that email address is the primary email address on file. Please call the Member Services Desk or log on to the portal to make changes yourself. If you need assistance logging into your portal profile, you can contact the Member Services Desk at 480-279-2053.
If you need a paper ballot, please reach out and let us know. We are happy to accommodate; you may contact Sabrina at 480-279-2066, however, electronic voting is the preferred method for voting. Perhaps your computer skills are not so good, and you are not as comfortable voting electronically, we have polling days set up for your convenience at the clubhouse and the Election Committee members can assist you through the process. The polling days are February 17, and February 26 from 9 am-12 noon in the library at the clubhouse.
Lastly, I would like to thank Mary Ann Eddy and Fran Molleur for the many years of service to the community and the San Tan Press. They both have worked tirelessly to create an incredible publication second to none. They will truly be missed, and we wish them best wishes and hope to see them around the clubhouse enjoying other activities. Talk about some big shoes to fill!
If you would like to be part of the Trilogy San Tan Press Staff or have ideas for an article please contact Fran Molleur via email at f.molleur@cox.net.
Terri Hagan Project Manager/Advertising terri@tprcoa.com
Claudia Orleans Photographer chorleans6@gmail.com
Maribeth Gudgeon Writer thisbroad59@hotmail.com
Lori Wilkerson Writer Lori.wilkerson44@gmail.com
Fran Molleur Managing Editor 602-620-5842 f.molleur@cox.net
Marsha Buck Proofreader buckaroo21@cox.net
Kathy Gerdl Writer kathryng51@yahoo.com
Patti Seifert Restaurant Reporter poppy80@cox.net
Helene Shear Club/Group Liaison chezhelene@q.com
Judy Mitchell Proofreader jmitchell63@cox.net
Lin Eliason Writer linda.eliason@eliasonholding.com
Scott Fishman Photographer sfishman02@gmail.com
Pam Vander Heyden Writer hermandpam67@gmail.com
Dave Andrews Photographer dawingazv@me.com
Candace Purdy Writer cop3491@sbcglobal.net
Profile
My wife Susan and I have lived in Trilogy since June 2016 moving here from Sugarland, TX. Since we retired in 2016, we have made Trilogy our full -time home. I have been an active volunteer in the Trilogy community, serving on the Election Committee and the Governing Documents Committee.
Before retiring I spent 30 years in the mortgage banking and finance industries at an executive level. I completed my career as CEO of a large government contracting company servicing HUD foreclosure properties.
My qualifications and background have equipped me to contribute effectively as a member of Trilogy's Board of Directors. For more details on my resume see my flyer in the clubhouse or email me at
My name is Adrian Gordon, and I am 64 years old. I have been married to my wife, Charlene, for 44 years and we are proud to call Trilogy at Power Ranch our home. With more than 40 years of business and farm management experience, I have built a leadership approach grounded in preparation, fairness, and transparency-values I believe are essential in community governance.
This past year, I have had the honor of serving as an appointed member of the Trilogy at Power Ranch Board of
cnew52@icloud.com
Skills
Improving/Standardizing Processes
Cost Reduction/Control
P & L Management
Personnel Development
Vendor Management
Team Building/Leadership
Managing through Systems/Technology
Compliance Regulations
Hobbies
I am an avid golfer and love traveling to California to visit with grandkids.
I would sincerely appreciate your vote for Trilogy Board of Directors in 2026.
its Legislative, Auditing, and Executive Committees. I have also held board positions with United Farmers Elevator, a Livestock Cooperative, and the National Growers Association, and served as Treasurer of Kerkhoven Lutheran Church.
I have been actively involved with the Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, and Minnesota Farmers Union.
If elected, I will continue to apply my experience, preparation, and integrity to every decision. I will listen to residents, communicate openly, and work collaboratively to ensure Trilogy at Power Ranch remains a well-managed, financially sound, and welcoming community.
Please consider casting your vote for me, as I would be honored to continue to serve on the Trilogy Board of Directors.
Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, while also contributing to
Hello, my name is Gary Shaughnessy, and I hope you will consider giving me an opportunity to once again serve on the Board of Directors in our amazing community.
I have previously served three years on the Board as well as two prior years of committee membership here in Trilogy.
I believe these experiences will be an asset to the team as we work together with management and staff to provide the best possible place for us to call home. I truly feel this community we all share is our home, and we deserve the best amenities, activit ies, landscaping and maintenance that can be provided. My focus will be to ensure that we as a Board have the interests of all
residents as we seek for reasonable solutions that will provide the optimum result for the whole community. At the same time understanding and following the role and fiduciary responsibilities of a director.
It is in my nature to listen and consider the true meaning of comments or concerns that are shared and then respond honestly. I am not a politician, and I have no underlying agenda. I am a resident who wants to give back to the community.
The community currently has some major items that need to be prioritized and resolved, and I look forward to contributing to seeing them accomplished.
I sincerely hope we can continue to be moving forward unified and be kind to one another.
Thank you in advance for your support!
According to Californians, if you live in Arizona, you are called a “Zonie,” for better or worse. However, if you were born in Phoenix, Arizona, then you may be considered a rare “Arizona native” who chose to stick around. I guess that is me, along with a few other Trilogy suspects. (You know who you are!)
My parents, brother, sister, and I moved from Phoenix to Holbrook, Arizona when I was in the 4th through 8th grade. Small towns have a special place in my heart. In close-knit communities, everyone seems to know your name. It is very likely that living in Holbrook for five years eventually drew me to the small town of Gilbert.
I have a passion for reading, writing, history, and dance. I was active in modern dance and Pom lines at Holbrook Junior High, West High school in Phoenix, and Phoenix College. A highlight was performing at the half-time for the Phoenix SUN’s basketball game, on Christmas Day at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. High kicks and splits, what was I thinking?
Returning to Phoenix, in my first job I worked as a sales girl at Eileen’s dress shop in the newer Christown Mall. Following that stint, I worked 7 years as a part-time key-punch operator for U-Haul from my sophomore year through college. After graduating from ASU in education and later, earning a Masters in Education (Specializing in Reading), I began my teaching career in Gilbert, Arizona. This again, was in the early 70’s, mind you, and Gilbert looked much different. As described in past STP articles, you could see cotton and alfalfa fields for miles and miles. There was little housing, no apartments, hotels, and a couple of restaurants! This is why we first lived in Tempe and Mesa. (Check out San Tan Press Archives in Mytpr, if you missed out on Gilbert’s history!)
I loved teaching and living in Gilbert’s new Val Vista Lakes with my husband, Joe, (now of 48 years), and where we raised our three sons. Later, as a reading specialist, I taught classes at Mesa Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and ASU. In the Gilbert School District, I taught teachers how
to teach phonics strategies that I used with my students, as well as creative writing. (Incidentally, phonics has been around at least since the 1800’s McGuffy Readers. It has swung in and out of popularity for young readers, but I stand by its success.)
Throughout the years, I often tagged along with Joe, on his many overseas trips, when he worked as an engineer for Motorola. Rather than hang out in the hotel room while Joe was at meetings, I usually visited the tourist sites with only a map and a postcard of our hotel, in case I got lost… I am grateful to this day, for kind strangers who pointed me in the right direction with a straight face, a smile, or chuckle.
Now it all seems like a blur. There was PTO, swim team practice, taxiing to and from Gilbert’s summer recreation classes, Scouting, and endless soccer games that were sometimes like a three-ring circus for our three sons. I was assistant Cub Scout Master, and later, we finally, finally raised three Eagle Scouts. It was truly a balancing act. Whew! How did we manage?
Around 20 years ago, Joe and I stopped by Trilogy. A security guard looked at us and said, “Come back later. You are too young.” In the meantime, we lived in a condo in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy, when Joe changed jobs and eventually retired.
It was time to return to Gilbert, our “home sweet home.” We have lived in Gilbert for nearly 40 years, and 14 of those funfilled years have been in Trilogy. There has never been a lack of things to do. There are so many wonderful clubs, neighbors to meet, dances to dance, and little time to do it all. I have enjoyed being a member of numerous clubs, but the ones I’ve participated in the longest include Tap, Line Dance, Art Club, Fun Savors, Company of Friends, and writing over 20 articles for the San Tan Press through the years. It has been rewarding and a privilege.
“Trilogy’s Helping Hands”
Save the Date: March 12
Ladies, it’s time again for the Angels Spring Fashion Show fundraiser! It is Thursday, March 12 and will include lunch and fabulous fashions!
Watch for tickets to go on sale via Purple Pass.
Here’s how the Band of Angels is assisting Trilogy residents:
Angel Contact Group
Angel volunteers are available to provide Daily Check In phone call service; and will also make a friendly visit to check in with the residents. This group also helps residents in our community who have been ill, injured, or have experienced the loss of a loved one. Angel Contact Group volunteers provide the following types of contacts to Trilogy residents: mail a special hand-made get-well card to a resident experiencing an illness and an angel to a resident who has been seriously ill, injured, or has experienced the loss of a loved one.
A recent addition to the Angels’ services is the meal delivery program. This is a meal purchased by the Angels for a resident whose life has been suddenly affected by health or life change. Also, bowl cozies to safely warm food in the microwave will be available with or without food delivery. If you have a Trilogy friend or neighbor who you think would benefit from a home-delivered meal or any other angel contact, please call Monika Gilbert at 949-300-3961.
We have equipment available for residents and their guests to borrow for up to 90 days. This includes commodes, wheelchairs (both transport and traditional), walkers, seated walkers, shower chairs, knee scooters, bed rails, wheelchair ramps, canes and crutches, ice machines, etc. Also available to borrow are room monitors, two with cameras. Equipment is available for loan and return only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call or text Linda Ray (480-338-3730) for an appointment.
Contact hairstylist Anh Snell at 720-335-3106 to make an appointment for her to come to your home in the evening or Sunday for a complimentary haircut.
Volunteers help you replace batteries in smoke alarms, replace filters, replace light bulbs, add salt to the water softener,
and other simple tasks. Contact Dar Cyr, (480-516-6989) Dick Turpin, (480-240-0995), Craig Messer (480-722-1000), Steve Halvorsen, (480-620-6082. Brian Gurtler (480-2902231), Jim Heidmann (480-250-5683), James Marbury, 480276-6209), or Dan Schott (602-538-9889).
Angels volunteers can provide help with forms for needed services such as home delivered meals, talking books for the visually impaired, stay at home or transition into assisted living, and more. We have a kiosk in the Trilogy Library for brochures and other community information. Contact Eileen Marshall (480-621-5763)
In addition, we sponsor free outreach presentations involving many aspects of senior living
The Band of Angels is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Donations are appreciated and taxdeductible. Please place in the Band of Angels mailbox in the Clubhouse lobby. Thank you for your support.
To report an unfamiliar cat, please contact the Front Desk at (480) 279-2053.
To donate food, please contact Sandy Browne at (480) 318-9382.
CLUBS: Updates and photos are welcome so that our community can learn more about your
Please email the santanpress@tprcoa.com with any
Creativity is in full swing as the Art Club gears up for the Annual Art Show & Sale on Saturday, March 7, from 8 am to 12 pm in the Grand Living Room and Catalina Room.
A wide range of creative, reasonably priced works will be available for purchase, so be prepared to fall in love with a must-have painting! Members will be on hand to answer your questions about club activities and workshops they have enjoyed.
Trilogy residents will have the opportunity to enter a raffle. A special assortment of Art from the Heart charity paintings will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting a charity. Live painting demonstrations will again be held.
The art display board (by the Ballroom) has examples of what may be for sale at the show.
Free admission! Cash or check only for art purchases. For more information, contact, Joyce Cotton, Art Show Chair, cottonjj2@ icloud.com
Jerry Pennington’s watercolor painting, Monterey Bay will be available for sale (photo).
Greetings Trilogy from the Boards and Decks Club.
The Boards and Decks Club have a weekly schedule of games available for anyone to participate in. Some games are held in the afternoons, and some in the evenings.
Sunday, February 22 is our scheduled Lucky 13 game day. We start at 1:30 pm in the Catalina Room. We play ten games, so bring nine quarters and a single dollar bill. Players must be at least 18 years old to participate. Open to all residents and guests.
Pictured are the winners for our December Lucky 13 game, April Marrow, Lucky 13 M.C. John Hewitt, and Dee Doyle.
So, if you are looking for a fun game with a friendly group come and join us.
February is a busy month for Bocce Club. Morning open rolling is at 9 am. Come on out and try the game. We have lessons on Wednesday afternoons at 1:30. One of our best players teaches the game or will give pointers to enhance your skills.
We are in the middle of two leagues: a Tuesday Men’s League and a Thursday Women’s League. At the end of league play there will be a play-off for the Challenge Cup.
The Bocce Club will host the Valentine’s Dance for the community on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Get your ticket on Purple Pass soon, as this event is usually a sellout.
The Couple’s Tournament will be held on February 20-21. This popular tournament features two-person teams.
Our monthly Birthday/Anniversary Bash is February 21 at the courts. We will be celebrating all the birthdays and anniversaries for the month.
The Bridge Club is active year-round, meeting in the Catalina Room on Tuesdays and Thursdays (Social from 12:30 - 3, contact Deb Heim at 701-269-1725) or Wednesday evenings (Duplicate from 6 - 9, contact Anne Stuckey at 262-424-0969)
Duplicate bridge does require a partner. Judy Edinger (480-6223324) is willing to find a partner for you.
Our year runs from January through December. There is a $5 charge to join the club. Registration forms may be found in the Catalina Room.
Bridge Club members, put on your calendar the date of March 14 for the annual Memorial Tournament. More information will be sent to the membership.
Bunco is a dice game that is easy to learn and fun to play. No yearly dues or membership is required. Everyone pays $5 each bunco night which goes into the winning payouts that night, so you aren’t really joining the Bunco Club. Everyone is welcome at any time.
Bunco Club generally plays on the last Monday of each month. If a holiday falls on the last Monday, bunco will be played on the prior Monday.
Check-in starts at 6 pm. Bunco starts at 6:30 in the Catalina (card) Room. The game ends at 8:45 or 9 pm.
If you have any questions, contact Gail Martin, President/ Secretary, gad3595@aol.com or 708-638-8831.
The Company of Friends Club participated in the Holiday Golf Cart Parade. A special thanks for the enthusiastic involvement of Carolyn Owen, Don Black, Kathy Gerdl, Jackie St. Onge, Jim and Vicky Townsend. Pictured here are Kathy Gerdl and Jim and Vicky Townsend.
The Club Expo on January 6 was a great opportunity for members to connect with Trilogy residents and share information about Company of Friends. Attendees were treated to yummy snacks provided by Cristy Meyer of Petite Sweets.
The New Year’s Around the World Potluck was a delicious event, bringing together members and guests for an evening of culinary
exploration. It was a delightful way to learn about our diverse heritage.
COF looks forward to the Annual Dessert Auction on February 10 for members and guests. Proceeds benefit one of our charities, Ryan House.
March 7 will feature all Trilogy Trivia sponsored by COF. A new format is sure to be a crowd pleaser. More details will follow.
For more information contact Jim Townsend at 480-720-6658.
Hello, Trilogy. Our next Community Breakfast is Saturday, February 7. We are excited for this month’s special - Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Lemon Curd Sauce. Of course, we will also be serving eggs, sausage, blueberry pancakes, as well as coffee, tea, orange juice and cran-apple juice.
Breakfast is served from 8 am to 9 am. The price is $8 cash; no tickets are required. Enjoy good food and say hello to your neighbors. We hope to see you there.
Also, mark your calendars for the following breakfast on Saturday, March 7.
We are not a gourmet cooking club. We are a club that enjoys getting together to cook and serve meals, both to our Trilogy community and fellow members.
For more information on the Cooking Club, please contact tfmayhew@gmail.com
Pictured is Teresa Larson getting ready to cook breakfast.
Hello February! What will the ground hog say? Let’s hope we do get six more weeks of winter in sunny Arizona. We want to keep our cooler temps for as long as we can.
The club meets in the Catalina Room on Tuesday nights. Play
starts at 6:30 pm. Cost is $2 per person. The top four point totals get payouts. Please sign up in advance for Tuesday play by emailing tpreuchre@gmail.com, or calling 480-256-9487 or Sheila Overturf at 614-558-5543.
Euchre is also played on Thursday afternoons at 1 pm for those wanting to play, learn or brush up your skills. There is no sign up for Thursdays. See what we are all about!
Pictured are December winners: Steve Hartman, Ed Overturf, Doris Carolan, and Keith Bowen.
Hello Readers, Many parts of the country have wet spring times. Lucky us, our weather is perfect! This picture shows Lee and Karen Humbert getting rained on. They attended a Hale Theatre production, specially priced through Fun Savors.
One of many advantages of joining Fun Savors is a group price on events. Check the Lifestyle button on mytpr to get lots of information about this club or any other club.
The Trilogy Genealogy Club meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 9 am in the Club Room of the Clubhouse. We have speakers most months who are genealogy experts. These speakers present a variety of topics that are useful in your genealogy research.
The speaker for the February 19 meeting will be Ed Storey whose presentation will be Pushing Back the Clock (relating to genealogy research). The presentation will be via Zoom internet connection from Ed’s home in Green Valley, Arizona.
Ed has been a long-time writer of articles on the topic of genealogy for publications such as Your Genealogy Today and Internet Genealogy. His specialty is locating the hard-to-find old records on ancestors. He has been active in genealogy or related subjects for over 20 years.
Come and join the club and start your genealogy research. Visitors are always welcome.
For additional information contact President, Barbara Weichert, kbweichert@gmail.com.
The past month has been packed with scenic hikes, camaraderie
and appreciation for the great outdoors. Welcome to our new members! We are thrilled to see our community of hikers grow. If you see a new face on the trail, be sure to say hello and offer a warm Hiking Club welcome.
A Hiking Club Safety Tip. “Stay on the trail. For all trail users, the downhill hiker yields the trail to those coming uphill. Please yield the trail to faster hikers and bikers and stand off the trail to allow horses and riders to pass.”
Kaylene Hogan, Kathy Gerdl, Mary Davis, Val Keaty and Donna Kiely are pictured hiking beautiful Fat Man Pass on South Mountain.
Congratulations to our very own Debby Diana! She hit the perfect 6-hybrid 128 yards into the 8th green for a hole-in-one during our league’s holiday event. While that made the bar tab bigger, she was happy to pay it!
For your chance at a hole-in-one, contact Lindsey Fonick at 408-858-7322 for a membership application.
The Niners are finally catching their ‘collective’ breath after a very busy holiday season. Pictured here are Janet Peterson, Jeannette Zerilli and Judy Siegel, with our entry in the Trilogy Holiday Golf Cart Parade. The ladies won second place in the Most Festive category.
The Purple and Green Match Play Tournament was held in January chaired by Lisa Stowe and her committee. Results will be reported next month when we can announce which team had to buy the other team’s drinks.
January is also time for the Arizona Golf Association’s Medallion Tournament, held at Oakwood Golf Course in Sun Lakes, and our representatives are Mary Walz and Cheryl LaRoche. We will have much to report next month!
This month we are looking forward to our February Fling, chaired by Terri Barry and Judy Hollenbeck. No details have been disclosed yet, but we love to be surprised!
So far, 2026 is looking pretty good!!
“The job of feet is walking, but their hobby is dancing.” – Amit Kalantri
During the holidays, it is hard to resist the delicious food and drink. A fun way to work off those extra pounds is the joyful recreation of dance exercise!
Experience the many benefits of line dancing by attending classes. Tuesday class is for intermediate dancers at 1 pm in the Ballroom. Wednesday class is for beginners at 1 pm in the San Tan Room (dance studio accessible on golf course side of the Clubhouse).
If you are trying us out, come on Wednesday at 12:40 to learn a few basic steps. Your first class is free. After that, you can purchase a $24 punch card before class for six lessons.
Joining is $10 and used for added extras such as an annual Christmas dinner, annual meeting luncheon, and current happenings within the club, including the routines for the week in case you want to practice.
The Mah Jongg Club hosted its second Mix-It-Up Play Day on December 15. The event was attended by 68 club members who had the opportunity to play Mah Jongg and socialize with other club members they may not have ever played with or even known. Given the positive feedback, the MJC board is considering making the Mix-It-Up Play Day an annual event. A fun time was had by all!
The Mah Jongg Club members enjoy playing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon in the Catalina Room. Come join us to play American, Chinese, or Filipino Mah Jongg and make new friends along the way.
Free lessons are available to new and existing members in all versions played in our club. If you are interested in taking free Mah Jongg lessons, please text Maribeth Gudgeon, Director of Membership Services, at 480-263-3554.
As a reminder, the MJC’s Annual Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26 at 10 am in the Ballroom. MJC members are encouraged to attend.
February is the month for our Love of the Game charity event! Mark your calendars for February 20 and join us at the pickleball
courts to cheer on our teams as they compete in an all-day tournament.
This exciting event raises money for the club’s annual donation to a worthy cause within our Trilogy community. This year, we are proud to announce that proceeds will purchase rehab steps for the Fitness Center. This essential equipment will provide crucial support for community members recovering from knee surgery or working on balance issues. We are honored to give back to our community in such a meaningful way.
Court activities are going full speed! Stay active with us and join to participate in a variety of programs for all skill levels: weekly Round Robins, Dinking Around for women, Skills and Drills sessions, monthly Learn the Game--clinics for residents interested in discovering pickleball – call Shari at 208-861-8144 to sign up.
Pictured are Frank Hunter, Dave Matz, Dave Kinghorn and Larry Becko.
The Quilt Show and Sale is here again--Saturday, February 28, 10 am to 2:30 pm in the Ballroom. Admission is free.
See quilts made by club members and find just what you need for your home or a gift. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card. Buy a ticket for this year’s Raffle Quilt. It is king-size, in shades of blue and green (see photo). Raffle tickets are on sale now from Quilt Club members and on Monday mornings in the Quilters Studio. Raffle tickets will be on sale at the Show until the drawing at 2:30 pm. You need not be present to win!
At the show’s Marketplace you can also purchase quilting and sewing supplies donated by club members: rulers, cutting boards, scissors, patterns, books, etc.
For five years, Joanne Amico has chaired the Quilt Show; we appreciate her time and efforts.
Funds raised from sales at the show are donated to charitable organizations.
The Scrapbook Club invites all paper crafters and those interested in learning about our hobby to join us at our weekly gatherings. Come and go at any time during the day, Wednesday starting at 9
am and Thursdays after 6 pm. Working on projects in a communal environment encourages creativity, motivates members to try new techniques, and facilitates making new friends.
An advantage of membership is having access to all the club’s supplies. Supplies include paper trimmers, many stamp sets, dies, die cut machines including an older Cricut with many cartridges, embossing folders, inks, and punches plus a variety of card stock and pattern paper and assorted embellishments and stickers for members to use when creating a card or scrapbook page. Just bring your own scissors and adhesives.
Stop by our Scrapbook Room Wednesday morning after 9:15 for more information. If you’re new to card making, we’ll teach you how easy it is to make a card.
This month’s card was created by Tammy Weller.
Our Spring Social was a tremendous success. Everyone had a wonderful time enjoying a delicious dinner provided by Slate Bistro. The evening featured an exciting round of Name That Tune, which brought lots of energy and friendly competition. At the end of the game, prizes were presented to the top six participants, making the event even more memorable.
The Trilogy Singers Spring Concert is coming up in April, with practices underway. We’re rehearsing new music and inviting you to join—no audition needed.
Contact President Fran Molleur at f.molleur@cox.net or come to our Monday rehearsals at 6 pm in the Ballroom. Check the Trilogy Lifestyle section for the concert flyer and get your tickets early.
We started in 2026 with a new training class in January for Trilogy residents. The class was full and there will be more classes throughout the year.
2025 was a great year with Stained Glass Club members creating beautiful projects. We’re looking forward to 2026 and the creativity of new projects.
February is the month for the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and tennis. Speaking of tennis and presidents, according to tennis blogger, Avery Shackelford, George Bush Senior was the biggest tennis player of all presidents. When Bush first took office, one of his first orders of business was to enlarge the White House tennis courts.
Bush’s mother was a nationally ranked player. Once as a teenager, George Sr. complained to his mother about his poor tennis game, and his mother, replied in typical mother-form, “You don’t have a tennis game, now go out and practice.”
Here is a list of upcoming events sponsored by the Trilogy Tennis Club:
East Valley pops orchestra concert on February 15, 7 pm in the Ballroom.
Hot Dog Fundraiser on February 22, 10 am at the Tennis Pavilion. The ‘new’ Doo Wop Dance, March 1, 630 pm in the Ballroom.
Check out mytpr.com for more details about the above events.
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” –Seneca. So true. Lots of changes last year, and looking forward to the play in the spring. It’s called Knock, Knock and it should be a real hoot. Rehearsals are underway! We are also looking forward to planning more social events.
Our members and some Fun Savors members joined us for the Hale Theatre presentation of Beau Jest, and a good time was had by all, with excellent front row seats. Our End-of-Year gettogether will be in April, and we are looking forward to that.
When the Theatre Club has a business meeting it is always second Saturday of the month at 9 am, in either the Ballroom or the Multi-purpose Room. Announcements will be sent out via email with details about the meeting.
“Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right.” Thank you, Oprah Winfrey.
The next meeting of the Trilogy Travel Club will be on Thursday, February 12, at 4 pm in the Catalina Room. All Trilogy residents are welcome, and there is no dues requirement to attend. Refreshments will be served. Come and meet your fellow Trilogy travelers and share travel information.
We will discuss upcoming 2026 Travel Club trips, including a May land tour from London to Paris visiting World War I and II historic battlefields and other sites, and a September land tour to Mackinac Island and Niagara Falls.
We will also hear from some of the sixty travelers who were on the January Travel Club Princess cruise down the western Mexican coast and talk about future trips and destinations where dozens of residents might want to travel again with fellow Trilogy residents and friends.
For more information about the Travel Club, please check our website or e-mail Ernie Nervegna at enervegna7@gmail.com or Marc Larson at mthelarson@gmail.com
The DEMS & FRIENDS group has been busy this winter fulfilling its goals to: 1) be informed; 2) be energized; and 3) be supportive of those in need.
INFORMED: At our recent large group meeting we welcomed several guests including a former JAG officer who offered his insight into the ethical, legal, and moral implications of policies currently being planned and implemented.
ENERGIZED: Also joining us was an outstanding candidate for the office of Arizona State School Superintendent who outlined his goals and plans for improving--and saving public education in Arizona.
SUPPORTIVE: A representative of the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project shared its efforts to provide legal guidance to immigrants who are being detained without representation and recommended opportunities for Dems & Friends to support this organization and its mission.
Join us in our endeavors to be part of an active, involved, informed, and caring community. Please contact Sue Smith (susansmith07@gmail.com) to receive Dems & Friends emails or to join our private Facebook page.
Our fall and winter days and hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 9 am.
The horseshoe area is open 24/7. Horseshoes are available on-site. So, come out and fellowship while enjoying the game.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, February 22 at 5:30 pm, for the next Trilogy Iowa Group Annual Potluck in the Multipurpose Room.
Our theme for this year’s potluck is ‘Hog Wild’ in celebration of Iowa farmers and Iowa being the largest producer of pork in America. More information will be coming via email, Evite, and the San Tan Press. Please mark your calendars.
If you are from Iowa or have an Iowa connection and are not on our email list, please send an email message to TPR Iowa Group (tpriowagroup@gmail.com) so we can add you to the group. Any email changes or corrections can be sent to TPR Iowa Group (tpriowagroup@gmail.com) as well.
If you are interested in joining our committee to help plan events, contact Jon Luksetich at luksetj@gmail.com or 253-3475596.
Our spring potluck event is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, and
the fall potluck event will be November 14, (Please note this date is a SATURDAY instead of our normal Sunday.)
Please add these important dates to your calendar! All with a Minnesota or Wisconsin connection are welcome. Bring what you want to drink and a dish to share.
If you or someone you know is interested in being added to our email list contact Beth Madson at ottertailbeth@gmail.com or 320-808-6492.
The Repubs and Friends mission statement is quite simple: We are a group of conservative, pro-America, civic-minded, mature adults that believe in the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.\
We meet every eight weeks to disseminate information that addresses local and national political issues, utilizing the availability of local and national speakers and member input.
Our schedule for 2026 is: April 22, May 21, July 23, September 24, November 5 and December 17.
To become a member and receive email updates from the Repubs and Friends group, please send your request to; Repubs_N_Friends@reagan.com
Repubs and Friends has a private Facebook group. If you desire to be a part of that group, please contact Margaret Serafin, whose contact information is on mytpr.com
We look forward to seeing you at our meetings, and to providing a welcoming environment and a meaningful experience.
Wine and Dine is a great way to meet new people. We are a friendly, social dinner group that meets on the third Thursday of each month. We gather in small groups at each other’s homes, typically six to eight people per home. The Host home provides the entree, side dish, dinnerware, coffee and water. The guests bring one of the following: an appetizer, salad or dessert. Guests also bring their own beverage. Each month, the Host home changes, as do the guests at each home.
Gourmet cooking is not required, and the table setting can be as casual or fancy as the host wishes. To keep things interesting and fun, we have a variety of themes and meat choices throughout the year to appeal to all types of cooks and appetites. This month our theme choices are Valentines or Mardi Gras.
For more information or to join, contact our New Member Coordinator, Carol Mueller, at dcmueller@cox.net
In early 2024, my wife, Joanne Schlosser, and I decided it was time to check two locations off our travel bucket list. For her, as an avid hiker, hiking Machu Picchu was her next quest. A trip to Peru was also high on my list, but for another, less conventional destination. The Amazon Rainforest has fascinated me. Swimming with piranha in the Amazon River, trekking rainforests and exploring an ecosystem unlike any in the world was an adventure I couldn’t pass up. After six months of planning, Joanne and I agreed that the more, the merrier, and we invited our close friends and neighbors to join in on this quest.
The group was twelve strong, with old friends, new friends, and acquaintances. Our adventurous Trilogy companions were Bob and Judy Hollenbeck, Jon and Connie Luksetich, Tony and Cheryl LaRoche, Julie and Tony Espeseth, and Tami and Tim Montee. In January 2025, nine months before our adventure, we thought, “What better way to get to know one another than to host a Peru party?” Our fellow explorers joined together for a night of Peruvian cuisine, Pisco Sours, and Peruvian videos, photos and discussions on needed preparations. Fast-forward to September, and we were ready to embark on this exciting adventure.
Despite fourteen months of planning, I never anticipated that our greatest obstacles would be revealed before leaving the country. Just days before departing, news outlets around the world presented headlines of local protests and strikes around Machu Picchu preventing anyone from getting close to the 15th-century Incan citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The risk of losing this dream was very real. In the nick of time, the strikes were over the night before our booked tour of Machu Picchu was to begin but we encountered a more common problem for people who travel, transportation issues. Our American Airlines flight was set to depart from Miami and arrive in Lima at 4:00 p.m. After many flight delays and mechanical issues on three separate planes, it felt as if we would never make it to Peru. Hours later, we finally departed Miami but did not land in Lima until 5 a.m. the next day. Thanks, American Airlines, or, as we now call it, Amateur Airlines.
Lima, known as the City of Kings, is filled with impressive squares, colonial-style buildings, and adobe construction. Hugging the bustling streets are colorful facades painted in an array of yellows, whites, and oranges. Some of us walked to the Museo de Sitio Huallamarco, one of 200 pyramidlike remnants in Lima. We explored the palm-tree-lined Plaza de Armas, the Baroque-style Lima Cathedral, the Lima Catacombs, the Presidential Palace and loved the water show at Circuito Magico del Aqua.
The next day, it was time to dive into Peruvian cuisine. This seven-hour food tour would become one of our favorite experiences in Peru. Our first stop was at an organic Peruvian coffee roaster. Here, we were served coffee and organic lemon ginger tea, as well as savory pork and sweet potato sliders.
Breakfast finished with a round of sinful caramel-filled churros. Next, we explored a local market with fresh fruit from all over Peru. At the instruction of a local chef, we learned how to prepare Pisco cocktails, coconut ceviche, Peruvian appetizers, and homemade ice cream. As if we needed more, the day finished with a six-course late lunch at the famous Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, with views over Pre-Incan Ruins. We all swore we wouldn’t eat another bite for two days–it was a promise none of us managed to keep.
We entered the third day of our journey in Peru, and it was time to bid Lima farewell. We departed the capital and flew north to the town of Iquitos then to Nauta, where our Amazonian adventure began. For the next four days, our home lay aboard the beautiful Aqua Nera riverboat.
The first activity in the Amazon was a skiff ride along the Marañon River. They say that one in every ten species of flora and fauna lives here, and it feels like we saw them all. With red life vests fastened and our eyes peeled, we cruised along the river, observing the vast numbers of wildlife that inhabit this region. Several species of tropical birds greeted us, such as the Amazon Kingfisher, the Crested Eagle, and the White Egret. Amazon River Dolphins, famously pink in color, followed us at every turn. We also witnessed tree-hugging fruit bats, sunbathing iguanas, and electric blue butterflies gently landing on our hats. Finally, we welcomed into our skiff one of the river’s fiercest predators as we fished for piranha. The sights were immense, as was the humidity. I must have showered three times per day during our time in the Amazon, and even that wasn’t enough. After enough adventure for one day, we returned to the Aqua Nera and enjoyed a round of ice-cold drinks and dinner of masterfully prepared local cuisine.
Our venture into nature was far from over as we took a guided jungle walk through the Amazonian Natural Park. Some of us were fully covered head to toe in netting, others discovered 87% Deet® to protect against mosquitoes. Once we felt we were mosquito proof we embarked on foot to the heart of the rainforest. Along our hike, we faced some of the world’s most
impressive trees, like the Angelim Vermelho, whose wide trunk shoots skyward while its thick roots extend deep into the ground. It felt like the Discovery Channel in real time as we encountered huge scorpions, a massive tarantula, leaf cutter ants, huge frogs, sloths, and even an anaconda. Our hike lasted into the night, and we made our way back to the skiff with flashlights in hand, the hum of thousands of insects, and a beautiful sunset to delight us.
Nearing the end of our Amazon River excursion, we explored the river in a set of wooden canoes. As we gently rowed through the current, our dolphin companions crested and dipped through the water, seeming to enjoy the company. Finally, we gave in to temptation and took a swim in the Amazon to escape from the humidity. On our final afternoon we visited a small village, with a two room school. Afterward, we fastened the skiffs together along with a well-stocked bar skiff. After a round of drinks, we first toasted the beautiful sunset, then the dazzling stars above. Finally, we made a toast to being together on our unforgettable Amazon voyage.
Our group of intrepid travelers departed Iquitos, making our way to Cusco. Located in the Andes Mountains, Cusco has an elevation of 11,200 feet above sea level. Suffice it to say, many of us were woozy from altitude sickness but were happy to discover an in-house doctor and oxygen tanks at our hotel. The hotel even pumped oxygen into our rooms each night to help us adjust.
In light of extensive planning, some of the best moments on a vacation are those that are unplanned. Such was the case when we enjoyed some of the best pizza of our lives in a small pizzeria near the hotel. Who would have thought we’d find excellent pizza in Peru? To make the experience even more memorable a mustached Guiseppe baked our pizza in a brick oven in front of us.
Our second day in Cusco provided a moment to adjust to the altitude as we explored the city. Unlike Lima, Incan influence was everywhere as we navigated narrow cobblestone streets to visit merchants selling local hats, ponchos, and blankets woven with every color under the sun. The buildings of Cusco consist of an interesting mix of Incan stonework and Baroque architecture, a result of the 16th-century Spanish conquest.
After a day of exploring the city, we were ready to venture further into the Andes Mountains. While I was suffering with the results of accidentally swallowing water while swimming the Amazon, the rest of our adventurers, led by their inspiring guide, Adriel, discovered the Sacred Valley of the Inca and the ruins of Ollantaytambo. As they hiked more than 278 steps to
the plateau, Adriel spoke of the culture and history of the Incan people. The pride in his heritage was clear as he motivated us to keep pushing upward. They commented they would not have made it up those steps without his steadfast encouragement.
From the peak of the plateau, gazing out at this place felt like walking into a painting. The Urubamba River is the centerpiece, lazily weaving in and out as green, terraced hills sit along each side. The terraces extend for miles and even climb as high as 1,500 feet onto the sides of the mountains. We also visited a sanctuary where we fed and petted llamas and alpacas, and did some shopping.
The time had come to make our way to Machu Picchu. To begin this excursion, we departed Cusco aboard the Vistadome Train and made our way to Aguas Calientes.. After arriving, we had our first peek at Machu Picchu. Led by a local trilingual guide, we enjoyed a 31/2 hour tour.
On our second day in Machu Picchu, I was still recovering from whatever I may have caught during my swim of the Amazon and decided the hotel would be my habitat for the day. The rest of the group had one of their most adventurous days yet as they embarked on the IntiPunku circuit. With calves aflame and lungs starved for air, they hiked in the footsteps of the Incas for about 1 ½ miles uphill, gaining almost 1000 feet on the way. During their journey, they were surrounded by panoramic views of one of the most enchanting places on earth.
After two hours, our seven determined trekkers made it to the coveted Sun Gate. Atop this stone structure, they relished in the stunning scene before them. Machu Picchu, the mountain of Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River, and the heavens sit together in harmony. Following the hike, the group enjoyed a celebratory lunch of Peruvian cuisine, at the famous Sanctuary Lodge, toasting their successful endeavor. On the return train ride, we were entertained by a vibrant show of traditional music, dance and fashion show performed by ornately dressed artists. After the journey back to Cusco, we enjoyed a final evening together before making our way back to Lima for the flight home.
At the conclusion of our time in Peru, I could not help but feel grateful. This feeling comes not only from the incredible adventure we were so privileged to share, but also for the home and community we would soon return to. In addition to Peru’s striking landscapes and vibrant cities, our experience also revealed the realities of visiting a third-world country. Beyond Lima’s city center and in Cusco were less-than-ideal neighborhoods needing significant aid. Likewise, the people of the Amazon live in a remote world without plumbing and essentially no technology. Despite these limitations, locals are genuinely happy and could not have been more hospitable or friendly. Although Spanish and Quechua (the language of the Incas) are the primary languages spoken here, Peruvians were patient and kind in communicating and ensured we were well taken care of. For both the beauty and the realities of Peru, this journey was one we will remember for the rest of our lives. I could not recommend it more for those looking to connect with their inner explorer and for those ready for a truly epic adventure.
They say the most brilliant things on Earth are born from the weight of the world trying to crush them. One hundred miles below the surface, where the heat exceeds two thousand degrees, ordinary carbon atoms are pushed past their breaking point. They don’t shatter; they realign. They become a lattice— unyielding, unbreakable, and bright.
Today we’ll meet soft-spoken Karen Galant, whose childhood time in the mantle with a long season of crushing pressure turned a girl of soft soot into a woman of diamond. She didn’t just survive the “crushing weight” but uses that energy to build a heart capable of immense empathy.
Born in El Paso, Texas, with its dry, searing summers and gritty winds, Karen’s childhood was as demanding as the raw landscape around her. With her father frequently away in military service, Karen was raised by a mother suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis. Her ailing grandmother also came to live with the family. Though there was part-time help, the caregiving duties most often fell to eight-year-old Karen.
A brief transfer to Germany expanded the family when Karen’s sister Terri was born, but they soon returned to Texas. Years later, when Karen learned of her brother Scott’s arrival, her first
thought was not excitement—but concern over “another person to care for.”
Raised in Catholic school, life brightened briefly when her father left the army and became a builder, creating what Karen remembers as a dream house—“the first time I had my own bedroom.” But another move during her junior year meant leaving lifelong friends behind. Shy, with low self-esteem, Karen never dated or went to prom. Instead, she babysat so others could socialize.
As west-Texas winds blew, the skies at home grew darker. Multiple surgeries and relentless pain deepened her mother’s depression, eventually leading to shock treatments. Though Karen moved into her own apartment at eighteen, she returned frequently to help. “My sister and I were the mom and dad of the family,” she recalls. When Karen was twenty, her parents divorced, and her grandmother moved to Phoenix with Karen’s aunt Ruth.
Summoning a determination she didn’t know she had, Karen attempted college, working early morning shifts at a jeans factory before attending classes. As she was familiar with Spanish, coworkers affectionately nicknamed Karen, “the little gringa.” When she later accepted a job with the phone company, her factory boss released her from having to give two weeks’ notice, acknowledging, “You don’t belong here!”
Karen did belong—at the phone company for the next fifteen years.
Though her father built her a duplex, his controlling nature and Karen’s quiet loneliness lingered. But life was about to shift. With Terri married and Scott grown, Karen—now 31— stood on the stoop of her duplex one night, gazing at the vast sky and wondering, “Is there anybody out there for me?”
There was.
Karen’s Aunt Ruth, a schoolteacher, had always been her bright spot—teaching her to fish, drive, and feel loved. Encouraged by Ruth, Karen applied for a phone company transfer. On Halloween night she headed west to Arizona, where she was welcomed with open arms.
Accompanying Aunt Ruth, Karen attended
a nearby Catholic church. Though scarred by strict nuns during her childhood, Karen bravely tried again. Soon after, at a Thanksgiving gathering, she met Peggy, who invited her to the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale—and asked if she could bring a friend along. That friend was a six-foot-five man named Gene Galant.
Gene called Karen for lunch. A divorced CPA with two teenage daughters, he proposed just months later. Karen said yes— with a mouthful of food. They honeymooned in Iowa, where Karen was embraced by Gene’s joyful, close-knit family. The whirlwind romance became a marriage that lasted 22 years.
Outgoing and charismatic, Gene had long-been an actor and director and loved helping others grow their businesses. Together they cared for Karen’s mother until assisted living became necessary. Karen – known as “Nannie Khaki” also helped her brother’s and sister’s children, one of whom had significant challenges.
With Gene’s encouragement, Karen returned to school, earning a degree in Early Childhood Education while working at a church preschool. At the preschool, Karen blossomed, first as an Assistant, later promoted to Teacher. “I had my childhood there,” she said. “I became ‘The Story Lady’ for the afternoon program as well, and acted out all the parts!”
Karen describes Gene as, “a very strong Christian.” Although, like Karen, Gene had been raised Catholic, he explained to her that he was now non-denominational, sharing his evangelical beliefs. Having not been versed in the Bible, Karen soaked up Gene’s guidance like a sponge. “I would ask him questions, we’d read books and listen to tapes. He was very instrumental in the building of my faith.”
Then came devastating news. A routine blood test revealed Gene had acute myeloblastic leukemia. Declining chemotherapy, Gene trusted God fully. More than a hundred people visited in the first week. Five weeks later, Gene passed away.
Two years after Gene’s death, and with selling the CPA business, Karen became a Certified Nursing Assistant and opened her own service. “God gave me the name ‘Karen For You’ and I was able to help the parents of my friends during challenging phases of their lives.” She was able to help her own aunts, including her beloved Aunt Ruth.
Karen moved to Trilogy with her dogs, Precious and Zazzie. After they crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Jerri Arnold, a neighbor and fellow pet sitter asked Karen if she’d consider dog sitting. The lifelong caregiver slipped naturally into the role. Today, Karen’s care for Trilogy resident’s dogs is legendary. “It’s not just a job—it’s a ministry,” she says. “I like to help people with caring for their dogs. And the dogs have taught me a lot of different things, like they’re very dependent upon us, and I want to be dependent on the Lord. And they’re smart, they can be... If they don’t want to do something, they don’t want to do it. Dogs teach us about love, loyalty, and dependence and I see
that with God in my life. He’s always there, no matter what. A house just feels empty to me when I don’t have a dog.”
She smiles and adds, “God spelled backwards is dog. I call them my ‘God dogs’.”
I left the interview with my tail wagging ~
Kathy Gerdl
Traders south of New York were threatened by the Erie Canal and made plans to link the Ohio River and Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O) and towpath were built between 1828 and 1850. It stretches 184.5 miles from Georgetown, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. It is a dirt and stone trail used by mules to tow canal boats carrying coal, lumber, and other goods from western Maryland to the East Coast. It operated until 1924 when a flood ended its commercial use. The canal and towpath run along the Potomac River. Seventy-four locks, eleven aqueducts, 240 culverts and one tunnel were constructed to accommodate the 605 ft. elevation change and streams it crossed. Competition with the railroad caused the canal to suffer financially. The additional 180 miles originally proposed were never built.
The Chesapeake and Ohio National Historic Park was established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Eisenhower to preserve the remains of the canal and its structures. In 2013 the path was designated as the first section of the U.S. Bicycle Route 50.
At the 184.5-mile post in Cumberland Maryland is where our GAP ride ended last year and our C&O ride started this year. The C&O, being a National Park, offers amenities we did not have on the GAP, like port-a-potties regularly along the trail. There are many designated campsites with fire pits and a water pump for bike packers and the occasional backpacker. You can even stay in a restored lock house. Classrooms for K-12 students taught history and lifestyle of the era.
We chose e-bikes this year (I highly recommend them). They allowed us to stay together and talk along the trail. We also had more time for stops. We stopped at several locks till we felt like we had probably seen them all. The trail is almost totally flat, but rocks and tree roots were regular. Thick green vegetation covered both sides of the trail. Being early risers, we were fortunate to see quite a few deer cross the path.
Mile 0 Georgetown was the farthest north the boats could navigate the Potomac River. The canal provided an economic boost to the area. We spent two nights here and visited the Smithsonian and some monuments.
Mile .4 Douglas Bust- Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas was instrumental in saving the Canal from being turned into a parkway in the 1950’s. He challenged editors of The Post to hike the entire 184.5 miles to see why it was worth saving.
Mile 7.6 Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton house. Clara Barton, known as the “angel of the battlefield,” and founder of the American Chapter of the Red Cross, spent her last 15 years in this house, which can be toured.
Mile 22.8 Seneca Stone Cutting Mill. The mill’s water wheel, and later turbines, were powered by water from the canal to cut granite and marble used in the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian Castle.
Mile 35.5 Whites Ferry – Dating from the 1800’s but no longer operating, it transported vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians from Maryland to Leesburg Virginia. We spent a couple of hours here charging our bikes.
Mile 44.6 Noland’s Ferry operated as far back as 1735. This crossing was used by Susquehanna Natives, Revolutionary War Crossings and Thomas Jefferson on May 10, 1776, on his way to Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Mile 48.2 Point of Rocks Railroad Station, considered the most picturesque of the railroad depots, is uniquely located where the two lines meet.
Mile 50 Point of Rocks Trail Tunnel. The B&O railroad and C&O canal both laid claim to the narrow passage through the Point of Rocks section of the Potomac River. It was ruled that the C&O must share right of way with the railroad as far as Harpers Ferry.
Mile 60.8 Brunswick to NHancock. John Brown marched his “army of liberation” down the C&O towpath, across the B&O bridge into Harpers Ferry to raid the federal armory. Harpers Ferry is not along the towpath but can be accessed by a Ferry.
We spent a night in Brunswick, and I was surprised that we didn’t see a single bowling alley. The next day we traveled to Harpers Ferry. The government shutdown had just happened, so the ferry was not running. The outfitter we rented our bikes from was good enough to come transport us over. We stayed two days and although the museums were closed there was plenty of information on the outside kiosks. We learned from a merchant that we were staying at a hotel that was on two episodes of Ramsey’s Hotel from Hell, the Town Inn, which explained the wall of baskets in our room.
Mile 69.5 Antietam Village and Ironworks. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the site of extensive iron works. Pig iron was the major product. During the Revolutionary War craftsmen forged weapons of all kinds here. Mills for just about any commodity you can think of were built and powered by water flow from Antietam creek.
Mile 71.4 Packhorse Ford. Stonewall Jackson’s command crossed here on its way from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg to join Confederate forces September 17, 1862, during the Battle of Antietam.
Antietam National Battlefield is about five miles from the C&O canal. It is the site of the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. After three phases of fighting more than 23,000 soldiers
were dead, missing or wounded. The battle ended in a draw but was considered a strategic victory for the North, preventing England and France from intervening. Following the battle, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation making slavery an official issue of the war.
We toured the battlefields the day before our ride started, walking seven miles of it. Farm fields have monuments from states that sent their men to battle. As you look out from the visitors center it’s hard to find the edges of the battlefield. Fighting was waged all over the vast landscape.
Mile 75.7 Killansburg Cave. Residents of Sharpsburg hid from the Confederate Army in these caves out of the line of fire.
Mile 94.4 Falling Waters. General Robert E. Lee crossed here under darkness after his defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Miles 99.2-99.8 Williamsport. Examples of major canal structures can be viewed here within a half-mile stretch of the trail.
Mile 110.2 McCoys Ferry and Fort Frederick. Union and Confederate troops fought several times trying to capture and keep the ferry. Fort Frederick was built from 1756-1757 to protect the frontier. It is the only remaining stone fort from the French and Indian War. It was also used in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Mile 155 Paw Paw Tunnel. Made of six million bricks and three-fifths of a mile long, it is considered the most notable landmark and greatest engineering marvel of the C&O canal. We walked our bikes on a narrow dark and uneven path through the tunnel.
166.7 Oldtown which dates back thousands of years to early Native American settlements. Five of their trails intersect here. It was originally called Shawnee Oldtown.
Mile 182.6 Wiley’s Ford. While approximately 8,000 union troops were encamped in Cumberland, about sixty-five men known as McNeil’s Rangers crossed the Potomac and captured Generals Kelly and Crook while they slept, taking them and their horses down the canal to Wiley’s Ford and into Virginia. They were taken to Richmond and held in captivity.
184.6 Cumberland, established in 1787 was once the second largest city in Maryland. It thrived during the Industrial Revolution. Industry declined after World War II and today features shopping and history for tourists.
Sources: canaltrust.org and NPS.gov
“Appetizing” Recipes
At ScoliCare, we provide non-surgical treatment options for scoliosis, hyperkyphosis and altered posture These include ScoliBalance, scoliosis-specific exercises, and our 3D-customized ScoliBrace or KyphoBrace to help support your spine Our goal is to help reduce pain, improve posture, and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Andy Pivonka, DC: Chiropractor, World Masters in Scoliosis Treatment Dr. Patty Pivonka, DC: Chiropractor, Certified Scoliosis Rehabilitation Therapist Regular checks of adults for the signs of scoliosis is important Early warning signs may include: Visit
Don Vangsnes, Director
The Foundation would like to say one final thank you to Rodger Page for his contributions. Although Rodger retired from the Board last year, he continued to help out by writing this monthly update through 2025. Thanks for a decade of service Rodger!
TPR Foundation officers for 2026 were elected at the December meeting:
• President: Miriam Sluder
• Vice-President: Mike Larson
• Secretary: Linda Anderson
• Treasurer: Lisa Stowe
The Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two new Board members beginning in January 2026 – Fran Banks and Ken Stanczyk. Fran has lived in Trilogy full-time for the past five years, serving on the Election Committee, volunteering in the Café and active in the Pickleball Club. Ken has a background in parish ministry and various volunteer experiences. He’s been a strong supporter of Foundation activities. We welcome Fran and Ken to the Foundation Board and look forward to their contributions to our mission of improving the lives of senior adults living in the SE Valley.
The Foundation is always looking for volunteers and potential Board members. If the idea of helping others in your community appeals to you, please contact Miriam Sluder (Miriam_Sluder@ yahoo.com), or other Board members you might know. Check out our website for a list of Board members. You can also contact us through our website (www.tprfoundation.org ).
These popular events continue to be successful fundraisers for the Foundation. The winter event held January 26th was a wine pairing dinner of four courses with selected wines. Next on the schedule is a wine tasting event with hors d’oeuvres on March 30th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Slate’s Bistro. Tickets are $70 per person and will be available on our website (www. tprfoundation.org) beginning February 16th.
The annual golf tournament has shifted to a spring date for the first time, moving from its traditional November date. Scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th, the tournament continues to be the single biggest fundraising event for the Foundation.
It will once again be held at the Power Ranch Golf Club within Trilogy. The cost is $130 per golfer with a capacity of 120 players. All registration will be done online on the TPR Foundation’s website www.tprfoundation.org . Sign up as a foursome or single – we’ll take care of putting you in a group.
The event will be a four-person scramble with prizes for longest drive, closest to pin and low gross team (men/women/mixed). There will be lots of other chances to win something with raffle prizes and a 50/50 drawing.
Interested in being a sponsor? Various sponsorships are available for individual holes, putting green/driving range/beverage cart, meals and overall tournament sponsor.
Monday, March 30: Spring Wine Tasting Event
Tuesday, April 7: TPR Foundation Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Additional information about these events will be on the TPR Foundation website (tprfoundation.org).
The Foundation’s Mission: To work in partnership with community organizations to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for senior adults living in the Southeast Valley communities, including Trilogy at Power Ranch.
When attending a special event at the Clubhouse, such as the Holiday Gala, please try to avoid parking in Unit 1, E Chestnut Lane, E Cassia Lane, and South Peach Willow Lane. If parking in this area, please be considerate of the homeowners and utilize one-side parking.
We have a Listening Assistive System available if you have hearing challenges. If you are interested, please contact the Front Office to make an appointment to learn how to use the system.
